Disney news
Bob Iger's return to Disney sparks major restructuring focused on creativity and storytelling
by Tom Walker | 25 Nov 2022
Disney is set to undergo a "major restructuring" following the shock return of CEO Bob Iger. Iger, who steered Disney as CEO from 2005 until 2020 – when his contract expired – returned to the entertainment giant recently. His return follows the exit of Bob Chapek, who took over as Disney CEO from Iger in February 2020 – just as the COVID-19 pandemic began hitting the entertainment and visitor attraction industry
Disney reveals first visuals of ambitious Star Wars attraction – including designs for hotel 'pods'
by Tom Walker | 15 Dec 2020
Disney has released the first visuals of its Star Wars -themed Galactic Starcruiser resort, which is set to open at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida next year. The ambitious new attraction will offer accommodation in hotel 'pods', which are part of a new type of "ultra-deep immersion" experience into the Star Wars universe. Each guest will be able to become the hero of their own adventure during a two-day,
South Korean theme park with five hotels and 18-hole golf course gets go-ahead
by Andy Knaggs | 04 Dec 2019
A long-proposed US$3.8bn (€3.4bn, £2.9bn) theme park at Hwaseong, 45km (30mi) from South Korea's capital Seoul, looks set to go ahead after the country's finance minister pledged the government's support. To be built by Shinsegae Property Consortium, the park will feature five hotels, an 18-hole golf course and three shopping malls. Reports suggest that huge Korean pop music (K-pop) and natural history areas will act as the centrepieces of the
Disney Imagineers transform Epcot for 2020
by Andy Knaggs | 29 Aug 2019
Disney Imagineers have promised the biggest ever transformation of any of the Disney parks in announcing a host of new attractions and experiences for its Epcot theme parkin Florida, with many set to open in January or summer 2020. Among the new characters that will inhabit the park are Mary Poppins, Beauty and the Beast, Moana and Guardians of the Galaxy. The location will be divided into four neighbourhoods that
Former Disney executive to build expansive leisure complex in Spain’s 'Siberia'
by Andrew Manns | 18 Dec 2018
John Cora – a former senior executive of The Walt Disney Company – has announced plans to create "Elysium City", a sustainable development and entertainment district in western Spain. Set to rise in rural Castilblanco, Extremadura – in the heart what has been described as a "Spanish Siberia" – the new property will reportedly comprise a 40,000-capacity sports arena, a mega-casino, a theme park, and a marina, as well as
Origami-inspired 'AquaLagoon' opens at Disney and Center Parcs' nature village
by Kim Megson | 18 Jun 2018
The star attraction at Disney and Center Parcs’ new Villages Nature development outside Paris has been completed. The practice of French architect Jacques Ferrier have completed the 9,000sqm (96,875sq ft) AquaLagoon, which houses one of the largest indoor waterparks in Europe. The tiered pyramid structure contains wave pools, water slides and an active river alongside an open-air geothermal lagoon. Other attractions include an interactive farm, hanging gardens and adventure play
Frozen, Tangled and Peter Pan as Disney finalises multi-billion dollar expansion for Tokyo theme park
by Tom Anstey | 18 Jun 2018
Frozen, Tangled and Peter Pan are coming to Disney's Tokyo theme park, after the operator announced a multi-billion dollar agreement with the Oriental Land Company for the largest expansion in the history of DisneySea. Expected to open in 2022, the development, which has been budgeted at ¥250bn (US$2.26bn, €1.95bn, £1.7bn), will see an eighth port comprising three themed areas opened, as well as a new luxury hotel. The port, says
China clamping down on unsustainable theme park boom
by Tom Anstey | 12 Apr 2018
China’s central planning body has warned developers about the country’s ongoing theme park boom, raising concerns over potentially unpayable debts and low grade or copycat developments, as new parks continue to spring up across the country. As of the end of 2015, China had 59 parks planned or under construction, with the figure now thought to be in the hundreds. This explosion in theme park development in the country is
Tokyo Disney plans biggest expansion in 20 years as operator enters discussions for ¥300bn development
by Tom Anstey | 30 Nov 2017
Tokyo Disney could undergo its biggest expansion in over two decades, as operator Oriental Land is reportedly in discussions over a ¥300bn (US$2.68bn, €2.25bn, £1.98bbn) mega-development for the resort. According to multiple news sources in Japan, the plans are not part of the previous ¥250bn (US$2.22bn, €1.88bn, £1.65bn), 10-year expansion plan for Tokyo Disney, which includes new attractions based on Beauty and the Beast and Big Hero 6, as well
IAAPA 17: Disney legend Joe Rohde reveals secrets to storytelling with IPs
by Tom Anstey | 20 Nov 2017
Veteran Walt Disney Imagineer Joe Rohde has revealed his secret to storytelling in theme parks, saying that to successfully utilise an IP, attractions creators must put visitors at the centre of their own immersive fantasy world. Recently celebrating the launch of his latest Disney project – Pandora ‘The World of Avatar’ at Orlando’s Animal Kingdom – Rhode said that creators of attractions based on film IPs such as Avatar or
Disney architect and designer Wing Chao wins Pioneer Award
by Kim Megson | 06 Nov 2017
American architect and former Disney executive Wing T Chao will receive the Pioneer Award from The International Society of Hospitality Consultants (ISHC) for services to entertainment design. The annual award, established in 1996, recognises an individual “who has made an outstanding contribution, achievement and or improvement in the hospitality industry”. Chao worked for Disney for 37 years from 1972, with his roles including vice chair of development for Walt Disney
New degree in theme park design to be launched as SATE kicks off in Los Angeles
by Tom Anstey | 05 Oct 2017
A new degree dedicated to experience design and themed entertainment is being launched today to coincide with the latest SATE (storytelling, architecture, technology and experience) conference in Los Angeles, California. Created by the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), the specialised degree will help to address demand from theme parks in the US and further afield to create new, immersive attractions that utilise the latest technologies. The bachelor of fine
Plans for a steampunk theme park in France to rival Disneyland Paris and Parc Asterix announced
by Ben Coxon | 01 Sep 2017
Luxury goods giant LVMH have announced a €60m (US$71.4m, £55m) plan to turn Paris’s 19th-century leisure park, the Jardin d‘Acclimatation into one of France’s top three theme parks. Work to restore the historic sections of the park and to build 17 new attractions - much of which will be themed around the steampunk genre - will begin on September 4 and is expected to last until May 2018. The park
Developer Evergrande announces plans to build Chinese theme park empire
by Tom Anstey | 30 Aug 2017
Billionaire Hui Ka Yan – majority owner of property developer China Evergrande Group – has announced plans to build 15 theme parks across China as the market continues to boom in the region. Branded Children's World, the Evergrande theme parks will be built across second-tier cities in China and focus on Chinese and Western mythology. Each park will target 15 million annual visitors and generate revenues of US$3bn (€2.5m, £2.3bn)
Disney design legend Marty Sklar dies aged 83
by Tom Anstey | 28 Jul 2017
Marty Sklar – the legendary Disney Imagineer and IAAPA Hall of Famer who played a part in the creation of almost every Disney theme park – has died aged 83. A 54-year career in which he started out in 1955 as a writer of The Disneyland News for the then newly-opened Disneyland, Sklar went on to work closely with Walt Disney and was referred to as the “keeper of the
Disney reveals immersive Star Wars hotel as part of 'living adventure' resort
by Tom Anstey | 17 Jul 2017
Disney has announced a slew of new additions for its parks worldwide, including a Star Wars hotel, Marvel and Pixar attractions, and the very first ride for the company's iconic figurehead, Mickey Mouse. Star Wars Star Wars was a focal point of the presentation, with the newly-named lands “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge” to open at Disneyland California and Disney World in Orlando in 2019. Following the unveiling of a scale
Disney reveals scale model of new Star Wars lands at D23
by Tom Anstey | 14 Jul 2017
Disney has offered its most in-depth look at its upcoming Star Wars Land yet, unveiling a scale model of the attraction ahead of the D23 fan expo taking place this weekend in Anaheim, California. Two years on from the last D23, when Bob Iger first revealed plans for two Star Wars attractions at Disney’s Florida and California theme parks, the operator unveiled the model, which has been made available for
Disney delivers 'the impossible' with debut of Avatar land at Animal Kingdom
by Tom Anstey | 24 May 2017
Disney has celebrated the launch of its new Avatar land at Animal Kingdom with the operator marking the occasion by hosting a ‘Dedication of Pandora’ at the Orlando theme park. Based on the world of the 2009 Avatar movie, the striking ‘Pandora – The World of Avatar’ covers roughly 12 acres (48,500sq m) and feature multiple rides and attractions, entertainment, audio-animatronics, 3-D holograms as well as retail, food and beverage
Hotel, waterpark and science centre all touted for major US$500m Nashville leisure development
by Tom Anstey | 15 Feb 2017
Plans have been unveiled in Nashville, Tennessee, for a US$500m (€471m £401m) development set to feature an 829-bedroom hotel and a host of new attractions. To be located in downtown Nashville, the World One Hotel would become the city’s largest, with architects Earl Swensson Associates (ESa) drawing up plans on behalf of the Big T Building Company (BTB). According to BTB, a four-storey video wall would be wrapped around three
Universal breaks ground on CN¥50bn China venture
by Tom Anstey | 03 Nov 2016
Universal Studios has broken ground on its largest ever theme park project – a CN¥50bn (US$7.4bn, €6.65bn, £6bn) development set to open in Beijing in 2020. While Disney and Wanda battle for theme park supremacy in China, Universal has now entered the race, with the massive investment to cover 4sq km (2.5sq m) in Tongzhou – an eastern district of Beijing. With ground breaking on the development this week, once
Wanda 'wolf pack' grows as operator launches latest multi-billion dollar Wanda City development
by Tom Anstey | 23 Sep 2016
Wang Jianlin’s public feud with Disney continues to heat up with the Wanda chair’s latest multi-billion Wanda City to open its doors tomorrow (23 September). Located 500km (311m) west of the recently opened Shanghai Disney Resort, the US$5.2bn (€4.64bn, £4bn) Hefei Wanda City has been described as the “first Huizhou culture theme park in the world.” A tribute to the culture of the Anhui province, which dates back more than
Iger hints at further expansion for Disneyland Shanghai following strong first quarter
by Tom Anstey | 22 Sep 2016
Disney chair and CEO Bob Iger has said that the operator’s new Shanghai venture has “ample expansion possibilities” following a strong opening three months. Disneyland Shanghai, which opened on 17 June this year, has enjoyed a strong start to life as a visitor attraction, with the company reporting 95 per cent occupancy rates and visitors staying two hours longer on average than expected. “We've had a fantastic opening for Shanghai
Wanda inks deal for US$9bn 'super sport-themed tourism complex' as Disney rivalry heats up
by Kim Megson | 30 Aug 2016
China’s Wanda Group has taken the next step on its mission to become an unrivalled tourism entity; signing an agreement to build “the world's first culture, tourism, sports and commerce super complex.” The group has pledged to invest CN¥63bn (US$9.4bn, €8.4bn, £7.2bn) to construct Jinan Wanda Culture, Sports and Tourism City – it’s 13th mega-development in the country. Unlike its previous Wanda Cities, the new project in Jinan, Shandong province
Disney offers new look at upcoming Star Wars lands
by Tom Anstey | 15 Jul 2016
Disney has revealed a new artist's impression for its Star Wars lands being built at its theme parks in Florida and California. The largest land expansion in Disney’s history, the 56,655sq m (609,840sq ft) Star Wars Land will feature a virtual reality Millennium Falcon ride allowing guests to “take the controls of one of the most recognisable ships in the galaxy." It also includes the iconic cantina first seen in
Week's top news: legendary hotels revamped, IKEA opens museum and Bjarke Ingels designs a bouncy beer pavilion
by Kim Megson | 02 Jul 2016
Renovations of some of the world’s most famous hotels dominated the CLAD headlines this week. The Ritz-Carlton in Philadelphia has unveiled a multi-million dollar renewal project designed by Wimberly Interiors; Chinese company Anbang is considering converting two-thirds of the rooms at New York’s Waldorf Astoria Hotel into private condos; and the Ritz Paris reopened its doors after a four year revamp. Meanwhile, details have emerged about some exciting future hotels
Disney considering second theme park development in China
by Tom Anstey | 30 Jun 2016
Just weeks after opening its first theme park in mainland China, it has emerged that Disney is already planning another according to the Chongqing city government, which said it is bidding to host a future Disney park. The local authority in southwest China said that Disney had been planning to build a second park even before it started construction on the recently-opened Shanghai Disneyland. “Currently, we are actively preparing for
Former Disney Imagineering executive joins Thinkwell Group
by Tom Anstey | 07 Apr 2016
Global experience design and production agency Thinkwell Group have appointed former Walt Disney Imagineering executive Diane Michioka as their new vice president of production. Michioka, who has more than to decade of experience working in short and long-term strategic project planning, show producing, and creative team management, will have a key role in assisting the business development team with client relations and proposal development, as well as guiding, strategizing, and
New book by former Disney creative takes a design journey through the themed entertainment industry
by Alice Davis | 10 Mar 2016
A new book devoted to the art of theme park design is to launch on 28 March 2016. Theme Park Design & The Art of Themed Entertainment, aimed at designers, students and theme park fans, brings together a wealth of tips and advice from design experts from Disney, Universal and Merlin’s creative studios, as well as many more. The book promises to be a comprehensive study of experience design in
Former Disney exec developing mammoth US$14bn Carolina resort
by Kim Megson | 01 Dec 2015
A sprawling lifestyle resort in the shadow of the Great Smoky Mountains is due to bring hotels, restaurants, retail, sports and other elements of leisure to the North Carolina wilderness. Former Disney executive Jerry Pospisil is overseeing the development of the US$14bn (€13.2bn, £9.3bn) complex, which will stretch 4,500 acres in the picturesque Jonathan Valley. “The resort will combine wilderness experiences, upscale amenities, family entertainment, casual and fine dining, retail
Guerilla artist Banksy secretly creates twisted version of Disney theme park
by Tom Anstey | 18 Aug 2015
Banksy has reportedly created a twisted version of a Disney theme park, which the anonymous street artist is planning to open this weekend as a pop-up visitor attraction in Weston-super-Mare, England. The subversive theme park-cum-art exhibition has been built over the past several months under the guise of a movie set at the 10,200sq ft (950sq m) abandoned Tropicana lido. Signs at the site indicated Grey Fox Production were shooting
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